October 2011 - Utah-Astronomy - mailman.xmission.com

Sept was a good month (and fun photo)
by Patrick Wiggins 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Hi all, As some of you know I spent last month working on a project which involved monitoring white dwarfs for evidence of planetary transits. There were 25 participants (including our own Jerry and Cindy Foote when the root beer business wasn't getting in the way <g>). Unfortunately, despite a total of nearly 1,600 hours of monitoring the results were inconclusive. But as most of us here know a negative result is not necessarily a bad result it just helps tighten up the constraints when planning future surveys. But I have to say, September was a great month for such a survey, at least here in N. Utah. I just checked my log and saw that I was able to take data for the above survey, plus my usual supernova search and on the Zeta Auriga campaign on all but 3 nights. 27 nights in one month. Not bad. But, alas, I'm guessing we're going to pay for that this month considering the storms already lined up at our doorstep. BTW, totally unrelated but fun none the less, the weather Monday was just good enough to get in a jump. Two of us left the plane at the same time but the other went low. Neat that he did as he then rolled over, looked up and got this shot as I approached (think falcon in attack mode <g>): http://users.wirelessbeehive.com/~paw/temp/2011oct03-01 One of these days we need to have a Utah-Astronomy day at the drop zone... At any rate, let's hope October has at least a few fun nights in store for us. patrick

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Merging Galaxy List
by Jay Eads 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Merging galaxies are fascinating to me and over at my blog I have a list of four that are well known. Since posting those as a challenge to either visually observe and/or sketch or if someone wants to image them I think that would be fun. In addition, I want to make a list by season of merging galaxies that say a 12 to 15 inch scope could both easily fine, and perhaps be stretched to fine. If you have a list of such type of objects that I could include and want to post them, I will include them in the spreadsheet I am making. I am up to about 12 such items so far in the last hour or so of looking. This site has some nice images taken of merging galaxies and of some fine galaxies as well. Thanks in advance for anyone's assistance in this project. http://astrophotoleo.com/agalaxyn2.html -- Jay Eads

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Observing Near St George 10/28
by matthewspublic 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Hello All, I'm hoping to be in St George at the end of the month and would like to get out for some observing on Friday, 10/28. Based on a quick search of the message board it looks like the best options within an hour's drive are Fort Pearce and a turnout near Virgin. If anyone has other suggestions and/or would like to join me for a relatively short night (I have family activities I must be awake for on Saturday!) let me know. Thanks, Craig Upland, CA BTW, I'm a visual observer using either a small refractor or an 8" Dob, depending on how much room I have in the car.

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Dark Skies Fading in Southern Utah?
by Jay Eads 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

In case some haven't seen this: http://www.chron.com/news/article/Stargazers-national-parks-hope-to-save-da… -- Jay Eads

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NGC7331, the improved view
by Joe Bauman 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Hi Friends, Earlier I posted a view of NGC7331 and a couple of its pals from the Deer Lick Group of galaxies. Then I gathered more photons, which gave me a better image when I combined them with what got before. Please take a look. -- Thanks, Joe http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4732&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

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Want to buy
by D P Pierce 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

I have a scope that uses .965 eyepieces. I need either an adaptor to uses a 1 1/4" eyepiece in a .965 focuser or a 25mm to 32mm .965 eyepiece. Deloy Pierce

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Binocs for Sale
by D P Pierce 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

I have a pair of 11 X 80 Celestron binoculars for sale. $100 cash tripod adapter included Also a pair of 25 X 70 Russian made binoculars $60 cash Deloy Pierce

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Local selling CGEM mount cheap
by Chuck Hards 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Anybody know this person? Quite a deal at $950. I have the CGEM mount and love it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CELESTRON-CGEM-Go-To-Mount-/270827076289?pt=US_Tele…

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time lapse wide field astro (and others)
by bill biesele 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

http://timescapes.org/

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Observing Friday Night
by Jay Eads 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Mat and I are going to get out observing on Friday. I'm open for Pit n Pole or for Lakeside. If not we might try west of the Pit area. Any takers want to join us at one or the other locations? Just curious. -- Jay Eads

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